# Caregiving costs sway midterm voters

> 59 million Americans care for adult relatives while spending thousands yearly. A new AARP survey shows support for caregiver policies could decide close races.
- Title: Caregiving costs sway midterm voters · CNBC | Shortify
- Summary: 59 million Americans care for adult relatives while spending thousands yearly. A new AARP survey shows support for caregiver policies could decide close…
- Keywords: aarp, caregiving, midterm elections, voters age 50 and older, family caregivers, tax credit, affordability, business, finance, costs, sway, midterm
- Source: CNBC — https://cnbc.com/2026/10/26/family-caregiving-costs-2026-midterm-elections.html
- Author: Stephanie Dhue,Sharon Epperson
- Published: 2026-10-26T12:15:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: aarp, caregiving, midterm elections, voters age 50 and older, family caregivers, tax credit, affordability, business, finance
## 59 million Americans care for adults
About fifty nine million Americans provided care for an adult family member, neighbor or friend in two thousand twenty four, according to AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
## Caregivers spend $8,737 yearly out of pocket
Americans caring for aging family members spend an average of eight thousand seven hundred thirty seven dollars per year out of pocket, according to a study from Edward Jones.
## Caregivers face greater financial insecurity
About one third of caregivers reported having less than ten thousand dollars in savings and investments, compared with twenty five percent of non-caregivers, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's two thousand twenty six Retirement…
## 77% would vote for tax credit
In forty three competitive congressional districts, seventy seven percent of likely voters age fifty and older said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for a tax credit for unpaid…
## 75% support home care policies
Nearly as many, seventy five percent, said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who advocated for support for unpaid family caregivers helping loved ones remain in their homes.
## Older voters could decide close races
Voters ages fifty and above comprise one of the most important voting blocs. Matt Hogan, a partner at Impact Research, said a focus on helping caregivers would help candidates win over this critical voting bloc.

> voters ages 50 and above are going to be the deciders in the election
## Sandwich generation pressures grow
The sandwich generation, who support aging parents while raising children or managing other family responsibilities, faces especially significant challenges.

> The sandwich generation is only going to get larger
## Key takeaway

Millions of American caregivers face high out-of-pocket costs. AARP polling shows voters age fifty and older would vote for candidates backing caregiver support policies.